The season of music en plein air is here. Spend an evening taking in these summer concerts at museums, cultural institutions, gardens, and even shopping malls. The majority of these events are totally free; we’ve noted where RSVPs or tickets are required.
Summer Concerts 2019
Off the 405 at Getty Center
We named this one our favorite museum after-hours programming, and it’ll only take one visit to see why. Take the sweeping beauty of the Getty Center, add a sunset, a refreshing cocktail, and a cool band, and you’ve got a perfect summer night.
5/18: Sasami, Linda Nuves of Chulita Vinyl Club
6/22: L’Rain, No Sesso DJ Set
7/6: Cate Le Bon
7/27: Lala Lala, Harmony Tividad of Girlpool DJ Set
8/24: San Cha, La Mera Candelaria, DJ Brown Amy
9/14: Ex Hex
Music at LACMA
Friday night jazz at LACMA is the best-known of the museum’s music series, but it’s not the only way to catch a concert. In addition to that lovely week-ending tradition, don’t miss series dedicated to chamber music, Latin sounds, and other genres.
5/10: Greg Reitan
5/12: John Bayless
5/17: Cannonball/Coltrane Project
5/19: Antonio Lysy and Daniel Gledhill
5/24: Otmaro Ruiz
5/25: Conjunto Oye!
5/26: Honors Ensembles from the Colburn School
5/27: Salt Petal
5/31: Dwight Trible
6/1: Oscar Hernández
6/7: Ernie Watts Quartet
6/8: Rogê
6/14: Clayton Cameron Sextet
6/15: Chino Espinoza
6/21: Danny Janklow Quintet
6/22: Francisco Torres Latin Jazz Band
6/28: Andrea Miller
6/29: Justo Almario’s Afro-Columbian Band
FigFest at FigAt7th
The DTLA shopping complex becomes a concert hall on June nights with live music and DJs. Before and after the show, you can hang out in a beer garden and play some lawn games.
6/7: Cherry Glazzerr, Lily
6/14: Oddisee, Good Compny, Sudan Archives
6/21: Buscabulla, Reyna Tropical
6/28: STRFKR, De Lux
Summer on 7th
This once-a-year event is a summer tradition–and raises money for a great cause. Tickets ($45-$110) benefit Inner-City Arts, bringing arts education to underserved local kids. The event is a great party, with live music, DJs, art installations, plus some of the city’s best food and drink (think Guerrilla Tacos, Manuela, Everson Royce Bar, etc).
6/8: Best Coast, Shannon and the Clams, J.Rocc, Peanut Butter Wolf, Dublab DJs
Levitt Pavilion Concerts
The Levitt Pavilion summer lineup includes 50 concerts from June to September. That leaves room to represent an eclectic mix of styles and genres, with something to appeal to all. Performances take place on an amphitheater stage with an open dance area up front, surrounded by a grassy area for blankets and picnics (skip the wine though; this is a kid-friendly, booze-free venue), ringed in with lush trees and great sunset views. Shows are free, online RSVPs are encouraged.
6/1: Tijuana No! con Ceci Bastida, Dub 8, Blanco y Negro
6/2: Rumbankete, Chris Acosta
6/6: Pride in the Park with Jarina de Marco and Sister Mantos
6/7: Pride in the Park with Amara la Negra and Late Night Laggers
6/8: Filipino Independence Day Celebration: Ruby Ibarra, Gingee, Rani de Leon
6/9: Manila 2 MacArthur Park: Joel Quizon, Bibak, Rocksteady Rondalla
6/13: Gabriela Penka, La Infinita, Maria Blues
6/14: Josef Leimberg, The Breathing Effect, Todd Simon
6/15: Unlock the House: Blaqpages’ Trybvl and Amp Collective
6/16: We Are One: One Globe Radio, Larchmont Charter Samba School
6/20: Mike Watt and the Missingmen, Bastidas!, Don Bolles
6/21: The Slackers, The Bubba Master
6/22: 36th Annual Radiotron
6/23: Sonidos Salvadoreños
6/27: South Central Skankers, Roncovacoco, The Meddlers
6/28: Lido Pimienta, Delsonido, Subsuelo
6/29: La Tumbadora, Berendo Middle School Band
6/30: Band Camp
7/4: Black Nile, Benedek, Linafornia
7/5: Willie Chambers Band, Claudia Lennerar
7/6: Trish Toledo with Thee Confidentials
7/7: Gusto Guatemalteco
7/11: Jen Awad, Cutty Flam
7/12: Draemings, Vaya Futuro, El Mañana, Bananaleafboy, Xolo
7/13: The Lions, Chris Murray Combo, Queline
7/14: Tamal Festival with Mariachi Divas
7/18: Almalafa, Sonido Mundial, Anesthesia
7/19: Los Master Plus, Late Night Laggers
7/20: KXFest: Day One
7/21: KXFest: Day Two
7/25: San Cha, Jonny Kosmo, 5:4:1 by Pauline Jay
7/26: The Expanders, Jr. Thomas, The Volcanos, Terry Dactyl
7/27: L.A. Bollywood, Discostan
7/28: Ethiopia Day
8/8: Vel the Wonder
8/9: Genitallica, Forajidos
8/10: Flor de Toloache
8/11: Mundo Maya Celebration
8/15: Fartbarf, Numb.Er
8/16: Tomasa del Real, El Licenciado, Subsuelo
8/17: Boogaloo Assassins, Clifton aka DJ Soft Touch
8/18: Natives in the Now: Raye Zaragoza, Tracy Lee Nelson
8/22: No Parents, Fatty Cakes, The Puff Pastries, The Witching Hour
8/23: Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra, Nina Cole
8/24: Pato Machete, C-Minus
8/25: “L.A.’s Got Talent”
8/29: La Resistencia
8/30: Afrobashment: Zongo Sound System, DJ Rampage Global
8/31: La Sonora Dinamita, Gazoo
9/1: Wonder-Full in the Park: A Stevie Wonder Tribute Party
Grand Performances
Eclectic and global, Grand Performances gathers the crowd around a manmade pond in the center of California Plaza in downtown L.A. The programming includes concerts as well as dance, storytelling, and family entertainment. More dates and performers will be announced soon.
6/1: COLA 2019: A Night of Spiritual Jazz, Poetry, and Literature
Wicked Paradise
Splash in the pool while top-tier DJs spin at this summer music series based at Skybar at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood. Entry is free with RSVP; an upgraded $15 ticket guarantees entrance even if you show up late.
5/25: Miami Horror
5/27: Classixx
6/15: Le Youth
Subaru Summer Jazz Nights at Hollywood & Highland
It may not be the Hollywood Bowl, but the Hollywood & Highland Center holds its own as a summertime destination with this outdoor jazz concert series. The programs is curated by KJAZZ 88.1 and Rum & Humble, and if you make a $14 donation to charity partner Project Angel Food, you can enjoy your music in a proper chair with wine and cheese service provided by Wolfgang Puck Catering and One Hope Wine.
7/9: TBA
7/16: TBA
7/23: TBA
7/30: TBA
8/6: TBA
RELATED: The Ultimate Guide to 2019’s Outdoor Movie Screenings
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